River Fox Easter Train: Springtime Tradition in Sacramento

When we start seeing the trees blooming all over town and the weather is warming up, it means that spring has officially arrived in the valley. For our family, there’s no better way to welcome the change of season than by heading over the Tower Bridge and into West Sacramento for the River Fox Easter Train.

The Easter holiday always seems to spring up on me (you never know if it’s going to be in March or April), and finding kid-friendly Easter events can be a bit of a hunt. The River Fox Easter Train is always a reliable annual event that is guaranteed to deliver a fun experience. As a parent, you can bypass the frantic search on Nextdoor for an Easter egg hunt in a random location. Easy peasy!

What Is the River Fox Easter Train?

The River Fox Train is a heritage railroad experience based in the Sacramento area, offering themed excursions throughout the year. During the Easter season, the train gets a colorful, family-friendly makeover, complete with pastel decorations, interactive entertainment, and, of course, an appearance by the Easter Bunny.

Unlike a typical train ride, this experience is designed to be immersive. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about creating a festive atmosphere where kids can celebrate, explore, and enjoy the magic of Easter in a totally unique setting.

What Makes the River Fox Easter Train So Special?

A Moving Easter Celebration

The moment you step onboard, it feels like you’ve entered a traveling Easter party. Bright decorations, cheerful music, and themed staff create a joyful environment that instantly sets the tone.

Meet-and-Greet with the Easter Bunny

One of the biggest highlights is the chance for kids to meet the Easter Bunny in person. He walks through the train cars, waving, posing for photos, and interacting with families—making it feel personal and magical.

Interactive Activities for Kids

Children are kept entertained throughout the ride with hands-on activities like coloring, simple crafts, and themed games. These little details make a big difference, especially for younger kids who may not sit still for long.

Face Painting

In one of the train cars there’s also fun face painting, where kids can choose festive designs like bunnies, eggs, and spring flowers. My daughter opted to be a cute little Easter bunny!

Scenic Views Along the Ride

Beyond the festivities, the train travels through scenic countryside along the Sacramento River region. Springtime blooms and green landscapes make the ride especially beautiful this time of year.

What to Expect During Your Ride

Boarding the Train

Arrive early—this is key. They recommend arriving 30 minutes before your departure time. This gives you plenty of time to:

Find parking (parking is free and close by!)
Take photos outside the train
Let kids stretch their legs
Avoid feeling rushed
Finding ideal seats to take in the views

The vintage railcars themselves are part of the charm, offering a nostalgic vibe that adds to the overall experience.

Inside the Train Cars

Once onboard, you’ll find seating arranged in classic train style, with large windows perfect for looking outside. The cars are decorated with Easter-themed accents like:

Pastel balloons
Spring florals
Bunny motifs

The atmosphere feels festive without being overwhelming, which is ideal for families with younger children.

During the Ride

The Easter experience unfolds gradually, which keeps kids engaged from start to finish. You can expect:

A visit from the Easter Bunny
Activity packets for children
Occasional announcements or music
Opportunities for photos

The ride typically lasts around 1–1.5 hours, making it just the right length for families with little ones.

River Fox Easter Train Station Activities (After the Ride)

One of the best parts of visiting the River Fox Train during Easter isn’t just the ride itself—there’s more waiting for you afterward at the station. Once you step off the train, the celebration continues with a lively, festival-style setup that gives kids even more space to play, explore, and burn off that excited energy.

Easter Egg Hunt

The highlight for many families is the Easter egg hunt. Kids get to dash across designated areas collecting colorful eggs, creating that classic Easter moment everyone looks forward to. It’s organized in a way that keeps things fun and manageable, so even younger children can participate without feeling overwhelmed.

Lawn Games & Outdoor Fun

Spread out across the station grounds, you’ll find a variety of lawn games that are perfect for all ages. These casual, drop-in activities make it easy for families to relax and play together while enjoying the fresh spring weather.

Bounce Houses

For kids who still have energy to spare (which is most of them), bounce houses are a huge hit. They add that carnival-like element to the experience and give children a fun, active way to keep the excitement going after the train ride.

Food Available for Purchase

After all the fun, you’ll likely be ready for a snack or meal—and the station has you covered. Food is available for purchase, making it easy to grab something quick without having to leave the event. Whether it’s a treat for the kids or something more filling, it’s a convenient way to round out your visit.

Why It’s Worth Staying After the Ride

These post-ride activities turn your visit into a full experience rather than just a single attraction. Instead of heading home right away, families can linger, play, and enjoy a relaxed, festive atmosphere—making the day feel more like a spring celebration than just a train ride.

Why Families Love the River Fox Easter Train

It’s Stress-Free Entertainment

Everything is organized for you—no planning complicated activities or coordinating multiple stops. You just show up and enjoy.

It Feels Unique

Let’s be honest: Easter egg hunts are fun, but they’re everywhere. Adding a themed train ride stands out as something different and memorable.

It’s Great for All Ages

While younger kids will be the most excited, older children and even grandparents enjoy the relaxed, scenic experience.

Tips for the Best Experience

Book Early

Tickets for the Easter train tend to sell out quickly, especially weekend departures. If you’re planning to go, reserve your seats as soon as possible.

Choose the Right Time

Morning rides are great for younger kids who are fresh and energized. Afternoon rides may offer better lighting for photos.

Eat a Full Breakfast or Lunch Beforehand

Us parents know that dealing with “hangry” children can really take away from the experience. Plus you know there’s plenty of sugar coming their way with Easter treats. Making sure they have a belly full of protein is a great way to start your train ride.

Bring a Diaper Bag/Kid Bag

Make sure to pack a bag with water bottles, snacks, baby wipes and all the parenting survival kits for outings with kids.

Bring Your Easter Basket

Be sure to bring your own Easter basket so kids have the perfect place to collect all their eggs during the hunt.

Dress for Spring Weather

Even if it’s warm, bring layers. Train cars can vary in temperature, and you may spend time outside before boarding.

Bring a Camera (or Phone Fully Charged)

There are so many photo-worthy moments:

Kids meeting the Easter Bunny
Window views of the countryside
Candid family moments

Sit Strategically

Window seats are ideal, especially if your child enjoys watching the scenery go by. It adds another layer to the experience. You can also select from indoor and outdoor seating, depending on your preference.

River Fox Easter Train Pricing (Our Real Experience)

For our visit to the River Fox Train Easter event, the only option was Standard Tickets, which were priced at $59.95 per person—and notably, this price was the same for both adults and kids.

What We Paid

Our group included 3 adults and 2 kids, and our total came out to $323.73 including taxes and fees. This is helpful to know when budgeting, since the final cost is a bit higher than just the base ticket price.

What That Price Included

Even at the standard level, the ticket covered quite a bit:

The full Easter-themed train ride
Easter Bunny interactions onboard
Kids activities during the ride
Access to post-ride station events like the Easter egg hunt, bounce houses, and lawn games

Is It Worth It?

While it’s definitely more of a splurge compared to a free local Easter egg hunt, the experience feels more like a bundled event than just a train ride. When you factor in the entertainment, activities, and overall atmosphere, it ends up being a fun, all-in-one outing that can easily fill several hours.

If you’re planning a special Easter activity or want something a little more memorable than the usual traditions, this pricing can feel justified—especially for younger kids who will get the most out of every part of the experience.

More River Fox Train Experiences You Can Book

Final Thoughts

The Easter-themed ride on the River Fox Train is one of those rare activities that truly lives up to the hype. It’s thoughtfully designed, beautifully executed, and full of those little moments that turn into lasting memories.

From the excitement of boarding a real train to the joy of seeing your child’s face light up when the Easter Bunny walks in, this experience captures the spirit of the season in a way that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

If you’re looking for something meaningful, easy to plan, and genuinely fun for the whole family, this is one Easter tradition worth adding to your list.

*Note: I have seen others post about an Easter brunch train, but I believe that is a different experience than the one we booked. Our River Fox Easter Egg Express train was mostly focused on kid-friendly activities.